ALBANY ARGUS EXTRA. 



-r 



MR. VAN BUREN AND THE WAR. 



The United States Telegraph, the befitting 
organ of the Second Coalites attempts to 
falsify Iiistory, and impose upon the credulity 
of its readers, in a labored article, on the 29th 
of Feb,, from wliich the following- extracts are 
made : 

" The partizans of Mr. Van Buren, who have ta- 
ken upon themselves the task ol' elaborathig public 
sentiment, and of relieving the people Irom the 
trouble of thinking for themselves, have endeavored 
to break the force of the objections urged against 
the confirmation of his appointment as minister to 
England, by suppressing the speeches of those se- 
natois who voted against him, and charging a coali- 
tion between Mr. Calhoun, Mr. Clay, and Mr. Web- 
ster; and with unblushmg impudence, connect the 
proceedings of the senate, on Mr. V. B.'s nomina- 
tion, with the Hartford Convention." 

" The attempt to identify Mr. Calhoun with the 
Hartford Convention, or even to assail Mr. Webster 
on account of it, comes with a bad grace, indeed, 
from the partizans of Mr. Van Buren. Mr. V. B., 
at that day, was rising into consequence, as a mem- 
ber of the republican party of New-York. Gover- 
nor Clinton was selected by the anti-war party, (the 
real Hartford Convention party), as their candidate 
in opposition to Mr. Madison, who had been selec- 
ted as the candidate of the republican party of the 
nation, and whose re-election to the presidency, it 
was well understood, would be construed as a de- 
claration, on the part of the American people, of 
their determination to prosecute with rigor, the 
war, which was the leading measure of his admini- 
stration;" 

"Where, then. Was Mr. V. B.'s patriotism 

where his devotion to republicanism? At no period in 
the history of the government was a sacrifice of per- 
sonal considerations more necessary to the glory of 
the country, and the experiment of self-government, 
than during the late war. We had engaged with a 
powerful nation, in a bloody contest for our rights; 
and the honor, nay, the very existence of the go- 
vernment, in some measure depended on the unani- 
mity of the republican party in its efforts to carry 
out the war it had commenced, to a successful ter- 
mination. At such a time, private griefs and per- 
sonal aggrandizement might be expected to yield to 
the calls of a bleeding country, and the necesssitics 
of that party which effected the political revolution 
of '9S. Where do we find Mr. Van Buren in those 
days of gloom and apprehension.' Is he then to be 
found breasting the torrent of opposition which 
threatened to bear down not only the President se- 
lected by the republicans ot '98, but even to extin- 
gnish the very p.irty which pl aced Mr. Jefle^fon in 
A^ power? Or was ho found chi iniHg irr§tve?t*c(»rebrd 
i '. with those federalists now sonffberaliy denounced ? 
He wa.i." 



" Yet, Mr. V. B.'s partizans have the unblushing 
impudence to arraign Mr. Webster for pursuing a 
similar course, though he had all the pride of party, 
all th.2 power ot its discipline, and all the consisten- 
cy of opposition, founded on political principle, to 
plead in his behalf, and to justify his conduct." 

If there is any period in Mr. Van Bu- 
ren 's life, to which more than another, his 
friends can recur, as evMencc of his devoted 
patriotism and transcendent talents, it is to 
his course in the Senate of tliis State, during 
the war : And his friends, 1,'owever much they 
may despise the base calumnies of the Tele- 
graph, have reason to thank the author of 
them for the occasion which he has afforded 
of re-kindling the fire of the second war of 
independence ; and of showing that Mr. Van 
Buren 's Avhole soul was engrossed in that 
great contest, for which Jackson fought and 
conquered at New-Orleans. 

" Vv'^here," asks the Telegraph, " do we 
find Mr. Van Buren in those days of gloom 
and apprehension.'"' We answer, on the side 
of liis country, Avhere he has always been 
found: And in confirmation of this, we can 
refer with proud satisfaction, to every act of 
liis life. 

Mr. Van Buken was elected to the legis-^ 
lature in April, 1812. War was declared in 
June of that year. The legislature met in 
November following ; and this was the com- 
mencement of Mr. Van Buren's career as 
a legislator. According to the practice at that 
period, each house returned an answer to the 
Governor's speech. In the senate, the com- 
mittee to draff an answer to the Governor's 
speech con.sisted of Mr. Wilkin, Mr. Van 
Buren iuul Judge Platt, the latter having 
been at a preceding election, the federal can- 
didate for governor, against Daniel. D^ 
Tompkins. The answer agreed upon by 
Mr. Van ^^Ren and gen. Wilkin, and 
^rei)ortcd Noy 10, 1812, contained the fol- 
lowin^'lTatrmlic and truly American senti- 
ments : 



Tq hia excellmicy DAyiKi, D. Tompkins, Go- 
vernor oj the State of J^cw-Vork— 

Sir— The senate fully concur with 5'our ex«el- 
lency in the sentiment, that at a period hkc the pre- 
sent, when our countiy is engaged in war, with one 
of the mostpowGrrul of the nations of Europe, dif- 
ference of opinion, on abstract points, should not be 
suffered to impede or prevent an united and vigo- 
rous support of the constituted authority of the na- 
tion; and duly impressed with a conviction, that in 
the breast of the real patriot all individual conside- 
rations and feelings should be absorbed in a para- 
mount regard for his country's vvelfare,the senate will 
cheerfully and firmly unite their exertions with those 
of the other departments of the government, to ap- 
ply the energies of the state to a vigorous prosecu- 
tion of the war, until the necessity of its further 
continuance shall be superseded by an honorable 
peace, the only legitimate object of war. 
- The different subjects submitted to the consi- 
deration of the senate, by your excellency, shall re- 
ceive their early and prompt attention; and believing 
as they do, that respect for the memory of the sol- 
dier whose life is sacrificed in the service of his 
country, and to make provision for his destitute fa- 
mily, is the duty of all governments, and especially 
of a government like ours, in which more than any 
other the character of the patriot is united with that 
of the soldier;— the situation of the families of the 
officers and soldiers of the militia of this state, who 
have fallen or been disabled in the battle of Queens- 
town, shall receive the seasonable attention of the 
senate, and he disposed of by them in such manner 
as shall in their judgment best comport with the ho- 
nor and justice of fie state. 

Judge Platt ofTcred a substitulo for Ihis 
address, in whicli he " solemnly deplored the 
unwise and improvident exercise of power 
which has thus without preparation, and with- 
out necessity, plunged our countiy into a war 
witli one of the most powerful nations of tlie 
world " — and that " the un(|ualified claim 
upon the state legislature, and upon our citi- 
zens, to 'subserve the national will,' by vol- 
untary exertions and supplies, whether that 
will be wisely or unwisely directed, is a claim 
of questionable right, and equivocal import." 
This substitute was rcjectetl by Mr, Van 
BuREN and his political friends, 20 to 7. 
In proceeding upon the original draft of tlie 
address, Mr. Radcliff moved to insert after 
the word " war "— " in so far as the same 
shall be directed to the purposes of defence" 
— which was negatived by Mr. Van Buren 
and those who acted with him. After this, 
the original draft of the address was adopted,' 
and Mr. Van Bur en was appointed chaii-- 
man of the committee to wait upon Govern- 
or Tompkins, to know when he would re- 
ceive the senate with their answer to his 
speech. 

Mr. Van Buren, in the same session. 
Toted for a resolution authorising the comp- 
troller to subscribe half a million of dollars, 
to th€ sixtaen million loan. This passed the 



senate, 15 to 11, but was rejected in the as- 
sembly, where the federaUsts had a majority. 

During the winter session of 1813, Mr. 
Van Bur en Avas found " breasting the tor- 
rent of opposition," and supporting with the 
zeal of a true patriot, every measure which 
had a tendency to strengthen the arm of the 
national government, or to give security to 
the extended frontiers of his own state. 

The close of the legislative session of 1813, 
was an important crisis in the affairs of our 
republic . Th^ .|^ew-England slates were en- 
tirely under tb6 control of the opposers of 
tlie general government and the war. They 
not only refused all aid to the national gov- 
ernment, in men and money, but a resolution 
was passed by the state, which Mr. Web- 
ster, the right arm of the coalition now re- 
presents, declaring that it was "unbecoming 
a moral and religious j)eople, to rejoice at the 
victories " acliieved by our gallant coun- 
trymen. 

The syren song of '< Peace, liberty and 
commerce," had been sounded in the ears of 
a people suffering under the pressure of war, 
so effectually as to produce a decided major- 
ity in the popular branch of our own legisla- 
ture, against the national administration and 
the war. 

Such was the posture of affairs at the close 
of the .session of 1813; and the election, 
whicl) was to decide whether New-York 
would stand by the government, or cast its 
weight into the scale of its opponents, was to 
take place in April. The eyes of the na- 
tion were upon us — and it is no exageration 
to say, that every true friend of tlie integrity 
of the Union, felt the most intense anxiety, 
for the re-election of that i^Aithful patriot, 
Daniel D. Tompkins, as governor of this 
state. We might ajitly say of this period, as 
Thomas Paine said in 1776, after the retreat 
of Washington through the Jerseys — " These 
are the times that fry men's souls. The 
summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, 
in this crisis, shrink from the service of his 
country; but he that stands it now, deserves 
the love and thanks of man and woman." 

" Where do we find Mr. Van Bur en, in 
those days of gloom and apprehension ?" Let 
the following extracts from the elocjuent and 
patriotic address from the members of the 
legislature to the republicans of the state, an- 
swer. This was written by Mr. Van Buren, 
and is of itself, a most triumphant vindica- 
tion of his course, from the aspersions cast 
upotrhim by enAy^ and malice: And if his 
assailants were no*t dead to every feeling of 
honor and of patriotism, a perusal of these 



extracts would overwhelm them with shame 

and confusion. 

Extracts from the Address of the Repuhlican 
Members of the Legislature, to their constitu- 
ents, March 9, 1813. 

Fellow-citizens — It is not to the arbitrary man- 
dates of despotic power, that your submission is 
demanded; it is not to the seductive wiles and art- 
ful blandishments ot tlie corrupt minions of aristo- 
cracy, that your attention is called — but to an ex- 
pression and discussion of the wishes and feelings 
of your representatives. 

You are invited to listen with calmnfss and im- 
partiality, to the sentiments and opinwns of men 
who claim no right superior to yours,-twho claim 
no authority to address you save that of custom; 
who would scorn to obtain the coincidence of your 
opinion by force or sti'atagem, and who seek no in- 
fluence with you, except that which arises from 
conscious rectitude, from a community of hopes and 
of fears, of rights and of interests. 

In making this appeal, which is sanctioned by 
usage, and the necessity of which is rendered im- 
perious by the situation of our common country, we 
feel it to be our duty, as it is our wish, to speak to 
you in the language whicli alone becomes freemen 
to use — the language to which alone k becomes 
freemen to li-jten — the language of trutli^nd sincer- 
ity; — to speak to you of tilings as they are, and as 
they should be, — to speak to you with unrestrained 
freedom, of your rights and your duties, — and if by 
so doing we shall be so fortunate as to convince you 
of the correctness of the opinions we hold; to com- 
municate to you the anxious solicitude we feel for 
our country and its rights, to turn your attention 
from the minor considerations which have hitherto 
divided, distracted and disgraced the i^ierican peo- 
ple, and to direct it exclusively to the rontemplation 
and support of your national honor aiil national in- 
terests, our first and only object will be effiicted. 

That tempest of passion and of lawless violence 
which has hitherto almost exclusively raged in the 
countries of the old world, wliich .'has ravaged 
tlie fairest portions of the earth, and caused her 
sons to drink deep of the cup of human misery — 
not satiated by the myriads of uetims wliich liave 
been sacrificed at its shrine, has reached our hither- 
to peaceful shores. After years of forbearance, in 
despite of concessions without numbd[, and we had 
almost said, without limitation, that cmel and unre- 
lenting spirit of oppression and injusncc whicli has 
for centuries characterized the spirit of the British 
cabinet, overwhelmed nation after nation, and caused 
humanity to shed tears of blood, has involved us in 
a war, — on the termination of which are staked the 
present honor, and the future welfare of America. 

While thus engaged in an arduous and interesting 
struggle with the open enemies of our land from 
without, the formation of your government requires 
that you should exercise the elective franchise, — a 
right which in every other country has been de- 
stroyed by the ruthless hand of power, or blasted by 
the unhallowed touch of corruption; but which, by 
the blessings of a munificent Providence, has as 
yet been preserved to you in its purity. 

The selection of your most important functiona- 
ries is at hand. In a government like ours, where 
all power and sovereignty rests with the people, the 
exercise of this right, and the consequent expression 
of public interest and public feeling, is on ordinary 
occas'ons, a matter of deep concern, but at a period 
like the present, of vital iraiiortuncc; — to satisty 



you of that importance, and to advise you in its ex- 
ercise, is the object of this address. 

Fellow-citizens — Your country is at war, and 
Great Britain is her enemy. Indulge us in a brief 
examination of the causes which have led to it; and 
brief as from tlie necessary limits of an address it must 
be, — we yet hope it will be found sufficient to con- 
vince every honest man, of THE high justice 
and indispensible necessity of the at- 
titude, which our government has ta- 
ken ; of the sacred duty of every real 
American to support it in that atti- 
tude, AND OF THE PARRICIDAL VIEWS OF 
THOSE WHO REFUSE TO DO SO. 

[Here follows an eloquent summary of the causes 
which led to the war — of the preliminary efforts, the 
embargo, non-intercourse, &o. , to induce the bellige- 
rent nations to do us justice, without a resort to 
that alternative-^and of the series of aggressions on 
the part of Great Britain, which rendered it, in the 
language of the address, a measure of "high justice 
and indispensible necessity."] 

By this last act [the disavowal by the British gov- 
ernment of the arrangement with Mr. Eskrine, and 
the formal re-enactment, by that government, of the 
orders in council, the doors of conciliation were ef- 
fectually closed.] The American people — a people 
rich in resources, possessed of a high sense of na- 
tional honor, the only free people on earth — had re- 
solved in the face of an observing world, that iliose 
orders loere a direct attack upon their sovereign- 
ty; that a submistlcn to them involved a surren- 
der of their independence — and a SL-iemn determi- 
nation to adhere to them, was officially declared by 
the ruler of the British nation. Thus situated, 
what was your government to do .' Was there room 
for doubt or hesitation as to the hostile views of 
England ? No. Lest such doubts might prevent 
a rupture, to acts of violent injustice, were contin- 
ually added acts of the most opprobrious insult. 

While the formal relations of amity rtmained yet 
unbroken — while peace was yet supposed to exist, 
in cool blood an unprovoked attack is made upon 
one of your n3tioiial ships, and several Ameij^an 
citizens basely and cowardly murdered. At the 
moment your feelings were at the highest pitch of 
irritation in consequence of the perfidious disavowal 
of Erskiiie's agreement, a minister is sent, not to 
minister to your rights — not to extenuate the con- 
duct of liis predecessor; but to beard your Execu- 
tive — to add insult to injury; and to fling contume- 
ly andreproachin the face of the Executive <fthe 
American nation, in the presence of the American 
peojile. 

To cap the climax of her iniquity; to fill up the 
measure of our wrongs; she resolved to persist in 
another measure, surpassed by none in ilagrant 
enormity — a measure, which of itself was ad.^quate 
cause of war — a measure which had excited the 
liveliest solicitude, and received the unremitting at- 
tention of every administration of our government, 
from the time of Washington to the presen day; tha 
wicked, the odious and detestable practice of im- 
pressing American seamen into her service; of 
entombing our sons within the walls of her sliips 
of war; compelling them to waste their lives, 
and spill their blood in the service of a foreign 
government — a practice which subjected every 
brave American tar, to the violence and petty 
tyranny of a British midshipman, and many of 
them to a life of the most galling servitude — a 
practice which never can be submitted to by a na- 
tion professing claims to freedom; which never can 



be acquiesced in by government without rescinding 
the great article of our safety, the reciprocity of 
obedienrx and protection between the rulers and 
the ruled. 

Under such accumulated circumstances of insult 
and 0'' injury, wo ask again, what was your govern- 
meal lo do? We put the question not '"' to that lac- 
tioii which misrepresents the government to Uie 
people, and the people to the government; traduces 
one-half of the nation to cajole the other — and by 
keeping up distrust and division, wishes to become 
the proud arbiter of tlie fortune and fate of Ameri- 
ca " — not to them, but to every sound head and 
honest heart in the nation it is that we put the 
question, — What was your government to do? Was 
she basely and ingloriously lo abandon the riglits for 
which you and your fathers had fought and bled ? 
"Was she so early to eower to Ihe nation who had 
sought to strangle us in our infancy, and who has 
never ceased to retard our approach to maujiood ? 
No: we will not for a moment doubt, that every 
man who is in truth and fact an American, will say 
that WAR, AND 'WXPx ALOKE, was our only 
refuge from national degradation, — our only 
course to national prosperity. 

Fellow-citizens, throughout the whole period of 
the political struggles, which if they have not abso- 
lutely disgraced, have certainly not exalted, our 
character; no reniari: was more common — no expec- 
tation more checriully indulged in — than that those 
severe and malevolent contentions would only be 
sustained in time ol' peace; that when the country 
should be involved in war, every wish, and every 
sentiment would be exelusively American. But 
uniortunately for our country, those reasonable ex- 
pectations have not been realized, notwithstanding 
every one knows, that tlie po.ver of declaring 
war, and the duty of supjxirting it, belong to the 
general government; notwithstanding that the 
constitutional remedy for the removal of the men 
to whom this power is thus delegated, has recently 
been afforded; n(,t withstanding the re-election of 
the same President, by whom this war was com- 
menced, and a majority of representatives, whose 
estimate of our rights, and whose views are similar 
to those who first declared it; men, who by the pro- 
visions of theconslitution must retrain their respec- 
tive stations for a period of such duration, as pre- 
cludes a continued opposition of their measures 
witjiout a complete destruction of our national in- 
terest — an opposition at once unceasing and malio-- 
nant, is still continued, to every measure of tlie ad- 
ministration. 

Fellow-citizens, these things will not do. They 
are intrinsically wrong; your country has engaged 
in a war in the last degree unavoidable; it is not 
waged to the destruction of the rights of others; bat 
in defence of our own; it is, therefore, your boun- 
den duty to support her. You should lay down the 
character of partizans, and become patriots ; for, 
in every country, " war becomes an occasional du- 
ty, though it ought never to be made an occupation. 
Every man should become a soldier in defence of 
his rights; no man ought to continue a soldier for 
olTcnding the rights of others." In despite of truths 
so self-evident, of incentives to a vigorous support 
of government so pressing, we yet have to deplore 
the existence of a faction'in the bosom of our land, 
whose perseverance and industrv are exceeded only 
by tlieir inveteracy; who seek through every ave- 
nue to mislead your judgment and to inllame your 
passions. 

When your government pursues a pacific policy 
it becomes the object of their scorn and derision; 



the want of energy in your rulers is decried, as a 
matter of alarming consideration; the injuries of 
your country are admitted, and the fact'is trium- 
phantly alleged that " the administration cannot be 
lucked in|o a war." When they are impelled to a 
forcible vindication of our rights, the cry of enmity 
to peace, ipf a wish to war with England to serve 
France, is.immediately resouuded tlirough the land. 
When war is declared, public opinion is sought to 
be prejudiced against the measure, as evincing a 
disposition unnecessarily to shed your blood, and 
waste your ireasures. When it is discovered, that 
that declaration is accompanied with a proposition, 
a just andjt;quitable proposition, to the enemy, on 
which hosllities may cease and peace be restored, 
that propoMion is derided as evidence of the most 
disgracefuf pusillanimity. No falsehood is conside- 
red too glaring, no misrepresentation too flagitious, 
to impose on your creduhty, and seduce your affec- 
tions from your native land. 

Lest general allegations might fail to effect their 
unholy puifio-ses, and consummate their dark de- 
signs, specific charges are resorted to— calumnies 
wliich have again and again met the detestation of 
an enlightened pubhc, are periodically brought for- 
ward, new dressed, and with new authorities to give 
them credence with you. Among the most promi- 
nent of those charges, is that of enmity to commerce, 
on the pai^of the repubhcan administrations. Ne- 
ver was tlSre a calumny more wicked. Eimiity to 
commerce! AVe ask, and we ask emphatically,whero 
IS the evidence of it? What is the basis on which 
they rest their claim to public confidence? It is that 
the administration is engaged in a war which they 
claim to betXmpopular. What are the causes for 
which this 'war is waged, and which have hither- 
to embroilc^ us with the nations of Europe? They 
are the vioiition of our commercial rights, ajid 
the impres^ent of our seamen ! The administra- 
tion then, a^; jeopardising tlieir interest with the 
people; thejf furnish weapons of offence to their ad- 
versaries; they brave all dangers, for the mainte- 
nance, and ^upport of our commercial rights; and 
yet they ar(^the enemies of commerce! Can such 
base sophistjy, such contemptible nonsense, impose 
on the crcAiity, or pervert the understanding, ol' 
a single honest man? 

As auxiliary to this unfounded aspersion, the oft- 
exploded, tlie ten-thousand-times-refutcd tale of 
French i/iflmncc, is ever and auon brouoht upon the 
carpet. It *ould be insulting to youi^ understan- 
dings to del* you by a discussion of this odious and 
insulting insiffuation. Was it evidence of Frenchinllu- 
ence on the adoption of every measure of commercial 
restriction, to place both France and England on the 
same looting? Was it evidence of French influence 
to cause it to be officially notified to the court of St. 
James, on the adoption of each of those measures, 
that in case they rescinded their orders in council, 
the United States would assume a hostile attitude 
towards France? Was it evidence of French influ- 
ence to embrace the eariiest opportunity to conclude 
the arrangement with Erskine— leaving our affairs 
with France in a hostile attitude? If not, where, 
tlien, is the evidence to support this impudent cen- 
sure? Is it to be found in a similarity of manners, 
of language, or of feeling? When an Engh.shman 
visits your country, is lie not received with lire fa- 
miharity, and cherished with the hospitaUfy of a 
friend? Is a Frenchman ever treated by you other- 
wise than as a stranger? Away, then, with those 
whining, canting professions, of fears and apprehen- 
sions of the danger of French influence. Intelli- 
gence must reject, and integrity abhor tliem. 



But to crown this picture of folly and of riiischief, 
they approach you under a garb which at once evin- 
ces their contempt for your understanding, and their 
total want of conlidence in your patriotism; under a 
garb which should receive the most distinct marks 
of your detestation; they are "the friends of 
PEACE !" While our enemies are waging against us 
a cruel and bloody war, they cry " Peace." While 
our western wilds are whitening with the bones of 
our murdered women and children — while their 
blood is yet trickling down the walls of their former 
habitations — while the Indian war-hoop and the Bri- 
tish drum, are in Uiiison saluting the ears, and the 
British dagger and the Indian tomahawk suspended 
over the heads of our citizens, — at such a time, 
when the soul of every man who has sensibility to 
feel his country's wrongs, and spirit to defend her 
rights, should be in arms— it is that they cry peace ! 
While the brave American tar, the intrepid defen- 
der of our rights, and redeemer of our national cha- 
racter, the present boast and future honor of our 
land — is impressed by force into a service he de- 
tests, which compels a brother to iurbrue his hands 
in a brother's blood — while he is yet "tossing upon 
the surface of the ocean, and mingling his groans 
with those tempests less savage than his persecu- 
tors, that waft him to a returnless distance from his 
family and his home," — it is at such a period, when 
there is no peace, when there can be no peace, 
without sacrificing every thing valuable — that our 
feelings are insulted, the public arm 2jaralyzed, 
and the public ear stunned, by the dastardly and 
incessant cry of PEACE ! What, fellow-citizens, 
must be the opinion which they entertain of you, 
who thus assail you ? Can any man be so stupid as 
not to percoive that it is an appeal to your fears, to 
your avarice, and to all the baser passions which ac- 
tuate the human heart? that it is approaching you in 
the manner in which alone those punypoliticians who 
buz about you, and thicken the political atmosi)here, 
say you are accessible, through your fears and 
your pockets? Can any American citizen be so 
profligate as not to spurn indignantly the base libel 
upon his character? 

Suffer yourselves not to be deceived by the pre- 
tence, that because Great Britain has been forced 
by her subjects to make a qualified repeal of her or- 
ders, our government ought to abandon her ground. 
That ground was taken to resist two great and cry- 
ing grievances, the destruction of our commerce, 

and THE IMPRESSMENT OF OUR SEAMEN. The 

latter is the most important, in proportion as we 
prefer the liberty and lives of our citizens to their 
property. Distrust, theretbre, the man who could 
advise your government at any time, and more espe- 
cially, at this time, — when your brave sailors are 
exciting the admiration, and forcing the respect of an 
astonished world, when their deeds of heroic valor 
make old Ocean smile at the humiliation of her an- 
cient tyrant — at such a time, we say again, mark the 
man who would countenance government in COM- 
MUTING OUR SAILORS' RIGHTS FOR THE 
SAFETY OF OUR MERCHANTS' GOODS. 

Next to the cry for peace, the most potent spell 
which has been resorted to, to alarm your fears and 
pei-vert your understandings — is the alleged distres- 
ses of tlie country. Fellow-citizens, it has been 
our object, it is our wish to treat you fairly, to ap- 
peal to your judgments, not to your passions; and as 
we hope our address to you hitherto has been mar- 
ked by that character — itis toyour consciences then 
that we appeal upon this subject. Is not tliis clamor 
jnost unfounded, most ungmteful? If you doubt that 
it is so, if you hesitate to believe that it originates 



exclusively with the ambitious and designing — spend 
one moment in comparing your situation with that 
of the major part of tlie civilized world. 

[Here follows a rapid and graphic sketch of the 
condition of the several European nations; conclu- 
ding with the following interrogation, — "Look at 
the whole map of Europe; contrast your own situa- 
tion with theirs; and then answer us, is it not impi- 
ous and wicked to repine at our enviable lot?"] 

FeUow-citize^is—s\\o\\\d those political witlings, 
who are not only ignorant themselves of the leading 
points of controversy in our disputes with the belli- 
gerents, but who are uniformly assailing you as men 
destitute at once of spirit and of judgment — should 
they point to the wars which agitate and have con- 
vulsed Europe, as arguments agamst the prosecu- 
tion of that just and necessary one which has been 
forced upon us, we know that you will indignantly 
repel the unlbunded suggestion. The wars of Eu- 
rope are waged by monarchs, to gratily their indivi- 
dual malice, their individual caprice, and to satiate 
their lawless ambition. Ours is in defence of rights 
which must be defended, or our glory as a nation will 
be extinguished — the sun of our greatness will set 
forever. As well might it have been said during the 
revolution, that war should not be waged, because 
wars had desolated Europe. The same rights you 
then fought to obtain, you must now fight to pre- 
serve — the contest is the sa7ne now as it was then 
— and ihefeelings which then agitated the public 
mind, which on the o7ie hand supported, and on 
an the other sought to destroy, the liberties of the 
country, will be seen and felt in the conduct of the 
men of this day. 

Fellow-citizens — we are compelled to close this 
appeal to you. The limits of an address w ill not per- 
mit us to do justice to the various subjects which 
should occupy your attention. We are aware that 
this has been already unreasonably extended; but 
the period has arrived when mere words and idle 
declarations must be unavailing. We have, there- 
fore, felt it our duty to give you, as far as practica- 
ble, a clear view of yoorfrue situation, of your le- 
gitimate duties. Unfortunately fy us, when we 
ought to be an united, we are a divided people. The 
divisions which agitate us are not as to men only, 
but to principle. You will be called on at the next 
election, to choose between different candidates, not 
only for the two great offices of state, governor and 
lieutenant governor, but for every other elective of- 
fice — to make a selection which the actual situation 
of your country renders of infinite importance. 

We are divided between the supporters and oppo- 
sers of our government. We have witnessed the 
distressing truth, that it is not in the power of cir- 
cumstances to destroy the virulence of party spirit. 
The opposition offer for your support, men, who,what- 
ever their private wishes may be, are devoted to the 
support of a party whose views and whose conduct 
we have attempted to delineate. In opposition to 
them, we respectfully solicit your support for the 
men whose nomination accompanies this address, 
one of whom [Daniel D. Tompkins] has for six 
years served you in the capacity which we now offer 
him; the other [John Tayler] has formany years 
served you in the most responsible situations. The 
notoriety of their merits supersedes the necessity of 
oureulogium — their lires are their best encomiums; 
they are the true friends of commerce; their views 
are, and tlieir conduct will be, in unison with the 
measures of the general government; they are the 
sincere friends of an honorable peace, the firm and 
energetic opposers of a base surrender of our rights. 



6 



We respectfully solicit lor them your undivided 
support. We solemnly conjure every real friend to 
his country, to reflect on the aanger of abandoning 
his government at a period so perilous; to lellect on 
the impropriety of even indirectly aiding the views of 
our enemies by continuing his opposition to govern- 
ment at a period so eventful. 

[Alluding to the republicans who had advocated Mr 
Clinton's election to the presidency, the address has 
the following appeal:] We solicit the honest men of 
all parties— to remember, that ours is the last republic 
— tiiatall the inlluenccof the crowned heads of Eu- 
rope has been exerted to propagate the doctrine, 
that a government like ours can never stand the rude 
shock of war; to rellcct that this is the first occa- 
sion in which this goverimient has been engaged in 
a war, and that the great and interesting questions, 
whether man is capable of self-government, whether 
our republic must go the way of its predecessors, or 
whether, supported by the hearts and arms of her 
free citizens, she ehall deride the revilings, and de- 
feat the machinations of her enemies, is now to be 
tried. 

Fellow-citizens — In the result of our elections 
during the continuance of this war, these important 
considerations are involved. — the question of who 

IS FOR HIS COUXTRV Oil AGAINST HIS COUIV- 

TRY, must now be tried — the eyes of Europe are 
directed towards us — the efhcacy of your mild and 
wholesome form of government is put to the test. — 
To the polls, then, and by a united and vigorous 
support of the candidates we submit to you, dis- 
charge the great duty you owe to your country, pre- 
serve for your posterity the rich inheritance which 
has been left you by your ancestors, — that future 
ages may triumphantly point to the course you pur- 
sued on this interesting occasion, as evidence that 
time had not as yet extinguished that spirit which 
actuated the heroes of Brecdshi/l and of Vorktown; 
of those v\ho fell at Camden., and of those who con- 
quered on the plains of Saratoga. 

This noble appeal was not made in vain. — 
The patriot Tompkins was elected govern- 
or, in April 1813, by a majority of 3,600. 
The assembly, however, continued in the 
Jiands of tlie federalists, by a majority of 
eight members. This enabled them to con- 
trol all the civil appointments, extending to 
sheriffs and clerks of counties, as well as 
justices of the peace. This power in the 
hands of those Avho wer« opposed to the 
war, together witli the negative of the assem- 
bly upon all laws designed to give energy to 
its prosecution, afforded (he opposition the 
means of greatly crippling the operations of 
Gov. Tompkins, and of thwarting all the sal- 
utary measures brought forward h\ a repub- 
lican senate, and consequently of embaiTass- 
ing the national administration. 

In this state of things, gov. Tompkins, 
with a devotion to his country which has few 
jiarallels, assumed a rcsponsibilily beyond the 
law ; and with the whole official power in ac- 
tive exercise against liim, called out the 
resources of the state, and almost single- 
handed, protected our frontiers, saved Uie 
honor of the slate, and shielded its character 



from tlie blighting influence of the Hartford 
Convention. The senate alone, in which Mr. 
Van Buren, by his great talents and devo- 
ted patriotism, had been placed on command- 
ing ground, remained faithful to Tompkins 
and to the country, at tliis eventful crisis. 

The legislative sessions of 1813 and 1814, 
were peculiarly trying. The measures of a 
patriotic character wliich were adopted in a 
republican senate, were defeated in a federal 
assembly. " These differences," says a faith- 
ful sketch of those events, " led to several 
public conferences, in which the points in 
controversy^involving the justice and expe- 
diency of the war, and the conduct aad mer- 
its of the national administration, not less 
than the particular measure in dispute — 'Were 
debated at large, in the presence of the two 
houses, by committees chosen on the part 
of each, and witii all the energy and ardor 
which the spirit of the times was calculated 
to inspire. These conferences, from the na- 
ture of their subjects, the solenuiity with 
wliich they were conducted, and the crowded 
and excited auditors that attended them, pre- 
sented opportunities for the display of popu- 
lar eloquence, almost rivalling, in dignity and 
interest, tlie assemblies of ancient Greece. — 
In all of them Mr. Van Buren was a prin- 
cipal speaker on tlie part of the senate, and 
by liis dexterity in debate, his powerful rea- 
soning, and his patriotic defence of the gov- 
crmiient and its measures, commanded great 
applause." 

In the spring of 1814, the republicans 
gained the ascendency in the popular branch 
of the legislature. And such were the exi- 
gences of the country, caused by the refusal 
of former legislatures to co-operate with the 
governor, and the great augmentation of the 
British troops, released as they had been from 
the conflicts of PZurope — that gov. Tomp- 
kins convened the legislature* by proclama- 
tion, Sept. 26, 1814, to deliberate upon the 
affairs of the state and nation. 

At the opening of this session, Mr. Van 
Buren wrote and reported to the senate an 
answer to tiie Governor's speecii, in which, 
after alluding to the disgraceful course of 
the enemy, in giving a character of more 

* It Wits during- this extra session that the Federal Repnl)- 
lican, tlic leading paper of the federal party, issued the fol- 
owing decree against the integrity of the Union : ID" "On 
or before the \th of July, if James Madison is not out 
of office, a new form of government vill be in operation in 
the Eastern section of tke Union. Instantly after, the contest 
in many of the states wilt be, tchcther to adhere to the old, or 
join the new government." This traitorous sentiment was 
uttered in November, 1814, and only a few weeks before the 
meetijig of the Hartford Convention. 



violence to the war, after having invited am- 
bassadors for peace, it adds : — ■ 

" Whether this conduct has proceeded from an- 
cient animosities, now seeking their gratification in 
the infliction of injuries upon those vvho once defied 
and foiled his power : Whether from a desire of 
finding abroad employment for troops, whom it was 
not thought prudent to disband at home: Whether 
from hostility to our civil institutions, and the vain 
hope of subverting the fair fabric, which by the 
wisdom, the virtue and the valor of our fathers, has 
been reared and secured to us; or from a calculation, 
that by carrying his arms into the heart of the coun- 
try, and marking his course with desolation and ru- 
in, he could make an impression on the government, 
which should avail him in the proposed negcciafions; 
or on the people, which should be remembered to 
his advantage in any question which should here- 
after arise between the nations : Whatever may 
have been his motives, or whatever his expectations, 
the senate cannot but exult, in common with your 
Excellency and the country, that thus lar, ' we 
have sustained the shock with firmness, and gather- 
ed laurels from the strife.' That although he has 
succeeded in penetrating to the Capital, his momen- 
tary triumph, disgraced as it was by the destruction 
of public edifices, and the subsequent plunder of a 
defenceless city, has before this time been imbitter- 
ed by the reflection, that by the conflagration of 
tliose monuments of art, which public spirit and 
munificence had erected, and which were conse- 
crated by the name of their illustrious founder — he 
has kindled a flame of patriotism which pervades 
every section of the Union, which has already lit 
the way to his severe discomfiture, and which 
threatens his complete annihilation at every assaila- 
ble point of the Union, to which his ambition or his 
resentment may lead him.* The senate have wit- 
nessed with the same admiration evinced by your 
excellency, the brilliant achievements of our army 
and navy during the present campaign, achieve- 
ments, which in their immediate effects have been 
so highly and extensively beneficial to our fiontier 
citizens — achievments Which have pierced the gloom, 
that for a season obscured our political horizon, and 
dispelled those fearful forebodings which past disas- 
ters had excited — exploits wliich will not suffer in a 
comparison with the most heroic efforts of the vete- 
rans of the old world, which have fully maintained if 
not enhanced the proud and enviable fame of our 
gallant seamen — exploits which have covered the 
actors in those bright scenes with never fading lau- 
rels, and which will, until public gratitude ceases to 
be a public virtue, call forth the highest testimonials 
which a free people can yield to freemen — unceasing 
reverence for the memories of those who have died 
on the field of honor, and acts of unceasing grati- 
tude to their heroic survivors. 

The senate have seen with great satisfaction, the 
prompt and efficacious measures adopted by your 
excellency, to avert the dangers, which threatened 

* Tliis extra session of the legislature was summoned at a 
most interesting period of the war. Tlie battfes of Chip- 
pewa and Bridgewater had been fought in the prece- 
ding July : The city of Washington was taken, and tlie pub- 
lic edifices destroyed, in August— the demonstration up- 
on Baltimore, was early in Sept. — and the battle of Lake 
Champlain, on the 11th of the same month in which tlie le- 
gislature met. It was well known that the British army liad 
retreated from Baltimore to assail some more \-ulnerable 
point at the south ; and tliis was the very array, with some 
addiiions, wliose defeat at New-Orleans by Gen. Jackson 
closed the war in a blaze of glorj'. 



the state, and believing as they do, that whatever 
executive authority may have been exercised for 
which no legislative provision existed, it has not 
only been intended for the promotion of the pub- 
lic good, but was rendered indispensible by the 
pressure of existing circumstances; they cannot 
doubt that the measures to which your excellency 
referred, will be found to deserve their approbation 
and support." 

At this session Mr. Van Buren introdu- 
ced the celebrated law for the classification 
of the militia, entitled " an act to authorize the 
raising of troops for the defence of the state." 
Tliis law authorized the governor to call into 
actual service, twelve thousand of the militia 
for two years. It preceded, in point of time, 
the classification bill reported to congress by 
Mr. MojfROE, the same year. Mr. Web- 
ster, and his disciples, in the east, stigma- 
tized both of these measures as conscriptions 
more odious than those of Bonaparte. 

It should be borne in mind that our legis- 
lature, in which these strong measures were 
adopted in favor of the country, was in ses- 
sion during the very period when the Hart- 
ford Convention was holding its dark con- 
claves in an adjoining state. Will an honest, 
a patriotic, and a chivalrous people, allow the 
nullifiers of that day, and the nullijiers of 
this, to form an unholy alliance, not only to 
crush the fearless champion of our country's 
rights in that day of her peril ; but to rob 
him of the fair fame so freely awarded to lum 
by his native state, for liis matchless elo- 
quence, and lofty patriotism .'' Is the man 
who was a faithful laborer with Tompkijvs, 
in <all the trials of tlie war, to be thus vilified 
by the allies and co-workers of Daniel 
Webster and tlie Hartford Convention .'' 

On the 13th of February, 1815, Mr. Van 
Buren was appointed on the committee to 
report resolutions expressive of the sentiments 
of the legislature, in relation to the battle of 
New-Orleans. He prepared the following 
draft, which was altered, however, in the 
joint committee, by striking out the pream- 
ble. 

" Whereas, in all ages and in every clime, even 
among the most uncivilized of mankind, the love of 
country and the love of glory, the spirit of patriotism 
and of heroism, have never failed to excite admira- 
tion, to call forth applause, and to be crowned by 
those grateful rewards which are ever dear to the 
brave, the virtuous, and the wise : 

And whereas, the duty of clierishing sentiments 
so intimately connected with the welfare, honor and 
prosperity of nations, devolves in a peculiar manner 
upon the rulers of a people whose freedom and in- 
dependence are the bright rewards of the patriotism 
and the valor of their ancestors, and can only be 
preserved by the exercise of the same inestimable 
and exalted virtues : 

Therefore, resolved unanimously, as the sense 
of tliis legislature, that Major General Andrew 



J±CB.soy, i:id the ctLlir.: ::h::r5 snl mldiers un- \ 
der his cc-mmand, for the.: t : :' - :e of the cit}- 
of New-Orieaas, that ii:.'- r:^:.". Ti....:2r\ post and ; 
graod emporium ot c JTunorce, especiailj in the ev- I 
er memora-jie cvir!ict ■:: the Sth ot" Janoaiy last, i 
an er<^ ntrpa.' ■ _- • ' - . j . . ,; j^,^. 

AiiKf.t d<ieniiner/_ - ^ . .iuse, : 

and die bstii^ gratitude of their countrv. 

Retoleed unanimously. That »he thinks of this ' 
le^Iatore be and they are h ted to Ma- 

jor Gei>etal Jacksox, and ' ,d soldiers [ 

uitder his comma ffd, for li^. -zd glorious ; 

achiennent. " : 

Resohe'lunaniniously, That these resolntions be 
signed by the president of the senate and jpeaker of i 
the hoQse of assciably, that his exceliencr the 
Governor be and he is hereby requested " " 
a copy of the same to Major General 
•.vbo is requested to comniuaicate to his : 
ciates in arms, the grateful sense which this legisia- i 
Djre entertain of their signal serrices, in such man- 
ner as he may deem consonant with the occasion. | 

Such were the embarrassments of the na- i 
tional government at this f»erio<l, occasioned \ 
in a great measure by the monied aristocracy i 
at the east, that the militia called into the ser- 
vice of the United States, were discharsed 
without pay. The sum due them, was about ' 
350,000 dollars. The attention of the legis- | 
lature wets called to this subject, and the mat- i 
ter was referred to a committee, of which '■ 
Mr. Vaw Bcres was chainnan, and who, 
on the 24th of February, IS 15, presented a i 
report to the senate, in which, after recom- \ 
mending a loan to the general govern- 1 
raent for the pajTnent of the militia, he says : I 

'= The conruttee further respectfully suggest that I 
the 9er^ice3 proposed to be rewarded, have been ! 
ren-i^rfrd b_v [.-irson? who, i---n.:ra':y -,'-:a';ing, are m ' 
icrr.i': i'-.- '.-.a^'. of "• ■ -;:..- ; ,.,-■•.: vely due to 
ther.'i, in': to ■•vr.orfi I'irt.oer i-iay ■vcuM be injurious , 
and distressing — that in the opinion of the commit- ' 
tee, their claims to the friendly aid of this state, are \ 
not confined to their wants, but areintinitelyenhan- i 
ced by the virtue and patriotism of the objects of' 
that aid — that the monies proposed to be loaned are 
principally due to the militia of the northern and 
western parts of this state, and such as were ordered 
there from other sections of the state, — to the brave 
men who met and successfully resisted the veterans ' 
of the enemy on the banks of the Sarar.ac, — to those ! 
who p'-rfonned tedious and laborious services at 
Sackets Harbour, arul at various other posts on the 

estern frontier,— and to that distinguished band of 

j'.untcers, who under the gallant Porter, stamped an 
indelible record of American valcr on the shores of 
the Niagara." I 

" The committee, therefore, recommend the pas- 1 
sage of the amended bill now reported by them, as a 
measure, which, while it makes a beneficial provi- 
sion for a numerous and highly meritorious portion of , 
our fello'.v-citizens, without detrirr.ent to the state, 
will at the same time, in no inconsiderable degree', ■ 
conluce to the general good, by a decisive expres- i 
=;on of our confidence in the credit of the nation; 

A will moreover furnish additional evidence of that I 



devotioB to the interests of the Uuior:, which it h.-^ 
been the ambition of this state to evince, whereby 
she has acquired a rank among her fister states t^ 
which her exertions in the late^contest richlv entiUe 
her, and which it should be the pride and the gkirr 
of her sons to maintain. " 

The elevated standing which Mr. V.\x Bc- 
REX had acquired by his able and faithfnl 
support of the war, induced the republican 
party to appoint him, in 1S15, Attomev Gene- 
ral of the state. He continued, however, to 
discharge his duties as a senator, and was se- 
lected again to draft the ans^ver to the Go- 
vernor's speech, in the session of 1816, after 
the peace. The following are extracts from 
this production : 

" While the senate sympathize with those of their 
fellow-citizens on^vhom the sufferings and depriva- 
tions incident to a state of hostilities have fallen with 
peculiar force, they cannot too strongly express the 
proud satisfaction they derive from' the reflec- 
tion, that the war in which the nation has been in- 
volved, arduous and sanguinary as it has been, tras 
not only righteous in its origin, and successful in 
its prosecution, Irut that our country has arisen 
from the contest with renovated strength and in- 
creased glory. 

"Among the advantages which have resulted to 
our country from the late war, your excellency has 
justly referred to the elevation of our national cha- 
racter, and to our increased confidence m the effica- 
cy and stability of our political institutions. AVhile 
the former is to the nation wealth, strength, and the 
source of happiness, the latter is the sheet-anchor 
of their hopes and emphatically the palladium of 
their liberties." 



t NOrr:.— The wonl« in italic, were wricken out iifter 
ih« re4MjtiitioiM were rtrpfin^rl ui the iKgixlainrf. 



I We hare now traced 2klr. Vax Burex's 
career from his first entrance into the halls of 
our legislature in 1812, through the whole pe- 
riod of the war, and up to the ratification of 
the treaty of peace. The extracts which 
have been given from the productions of his 
pen during that great struggle, wiU re-kindle 
the grateful recollections of those friends of 
free principles, who witnessed these noble ef- 
forts of a great and patriotic mind. And the 
young, wlio have admired liis honorable and 
brilliant career since that period, will find in 
these extracts the most triumphant endence 
of his patriotism and love of country-, so con- 
spicuously exhibited in the second great 
struggle which " tried men's souls " and tes- 
ted the soundness of tlieir principles. 

Ever}- act of Mr, Vak Burex, and every 
page of our legislative journal, contradict 
the calumnies of the Telegraph. The Globe 
speaks the sentiments of every man of truth 
in this state, wlien it says, that tlie calumni- 
ators might with as much justice undertake to 
convince the people of tJiis slate tiiatDAXiEL 
D. ToMPKXKS was opposed to the war, as 
tliat Martix Vax Bure^t was. They 
stood side l)y side in that fearful contest : 



9 



And until the death of the former, they re- 
tained for each other that ardent attachment 
which springs up between those who have 
mingled their exertions, their hopes and their 
fears, in trying times. And Mr. Van Bu- 
REW remained long enough in the senate to 
vindicate his patriotic friend, against the as- 
saults of his heartless enemies. 

Those who know any thing of the course 
of the " Washington Republican," which was 
established to hunt down Mr. Crawford, 
by the basest calumnies — who remember the 
A. B. plot, and the miserable actors in it — 
who have more recently seen Johjv C. Cal- 
houn convicted of the grossest and most in- 
excusable duplicity; of "paltering in a dou- 
ble sense," with the honest old soldier, whose 
frankness and single-mindedne-3S are such, 
that he would not "tamper with his own heart 
to hide its thoughts," and to whose popular- 
ity this modern Janus was indebted for the 
second office in the nation — who have seen 
this second officer charging a plot upon ]Mr. 
Van Burex which had no existence beyond 
his own distempered brain — will not be sur- 
prized at the false and slanderous allegations 
of the Telegraph against INIr. Van Buren. 
A consciousness that an alliance between 
NaWficatioii and the Hartfurd Convention, 
for the rejection of Mr. Van Buren, has 



annihilated the aspiring hopes of the hig^ 
contracting parties, and that an indignant 
people are summoning them to a certain doom 
— has induced the "Lepidus of the second 
Triunivirate," to "fall back upon his resour- 
ces," and from his abundant store-house of 
calvtfimies, to give Mr. Van Buren another 
specimen of that crooked system for wliich 
Mr. Crawford's letter entitles the Vice 
President to the exclusive right. This is a 
"system" under which a false coloring is gi- 
ven to history itself, in order to assail 
such men as Crawford, Jackson and 
Van Buren — whose characters for honesty, 
patriotism and truth, cannot be looked up- 
on by this "child of squinting envy and self- 
tormenting spleen," (to use the language of 
his present allies), without "searing his eye- 
balls." Unsatistied aspirations after power, 
drive him to madness, as the time approaches 
when he is to surrender the seals of oliice, 
which were confided to him by friends whom 
he has betrayed and traduced ; he will stnag- 
gle hard to defeat and defame those who have 
remained faithful to a cause which he has de- 
serted ; for he plainly sees that an honest 
people will no longer minister to liis uncbaa- 
tened ambition, and that he is to be left, 

" Even as a flame unfed, which runs to waste 
" With its own flickering, or a sword laid by, 
" Wliicli eats into itself, and rusts ingloriously." 



OF :-• 









